TriMet News

TriMet to add more bike parking at MAX stations

An ODOT grant plus funds from Washington County and TriMet will pay for the expansions and other improvements

With the continued growth of bicycling and connections to transit, TriMet has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to enhance bike parking connections at two key MAX light rail stations. The grant is part of the Oregon Transportation Commission’s $40.4 million ConnectOregon V program that awarded 36 multimodal projects from around the state.

TriMet worked closely with Washington County to secure the grant and also help provide additional funding to complete the two projects.

Westside Bike & Rides: Access to Jobs Project

TriMet will add covered bike parking that that will enhance multimodal east-west commutes on each side of the Robertson Tunnel connecting Portland and Washington County. The project will build enhanced and secure bike parking at Beaverton Creek MAX station along with a new trail crossing to better connect workers with nearby jobs, including Nike and other employers.

At one of the busiest stations where riders board MAX with bikes, TriMet will build enhanced bike parking at the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St Station on the eastern edge of the Robertson Tunnel. Riders with bikes board at this station to avoid pedaling up and over the west hills and Washington Park.

The total project costs $1.9 million, with the grant providing $1.5 million; Washington County is contributing $250,000 and TriMet is providing $150,000.

ConnectOregon is a lottery-bond based initiative to invest in air, rail, marine, transit and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure to ensure Oregon’s transportation system is strong, diverse and efficient.

TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane says “Securing this grant demonstrates how critical transit and bike connections are throughout the region. Plus, Washington County’s contribution was instrumental in the success of securing the grant, and highlights the value of partnerships across the region.”

Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers added that “We are happy to support enhanced multimodal access to jobs in Washington County, especially to one of our largest employers.”

“Targeted multimodal projects help riders combine biking and transit on both ends of their trip,” said Jeff Owen, TriMet’s Active Transportation Planner. “With limited space on MAX, especially during peak periods, these investments will help with first and last mile connections.”

Providing attractive bike parking facilities at transit stations gives multimodal commuters a valuable alternative to bringing their bicycles onboard already crowded light rail vehicles. This also allows multimodal commuters the option to park a bike on either or both ends of their transit trip through the Robertson Tunnel on MAX.

Owen added that “Use of station bikes is common among growing regions that see increasing levels of bicycling and transit use, and is complementary with both private and public bike share programs currently operating or planned for the near future.”

Annual bike improvements
In addition to these two projects, TriMet continues to make annual improvements to bike parking at stations throughout the system based on need and demand. This includes replacing aging bike racks and lockers, as well as increasing bike parking capacity when possible. Improvements for bike parking being made this summer include: NE 82nd Ave, Gateway/NE 99th Ave TC, E 122nd Ave, Gresham City Hall, Gresham Central TC, Oregon City TC, Beaverton Creek, Quatama/NW 205th Ave and Providence Park.